The government via the Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki has declared Monday, November 13, 2023, a public holiday.
The CS explained that the day had been set aside for members of the public across the country to engage in tree-planting exercises.
This, the CS said, was part of the patriotic contribution to the national efforts to save our country from the devastating effects of climate change.
”Following the decision of the Cabinet sitting in Mombasa on Friday, November 3, 2023, the Government has declared a special holiday on Monday, November 13, 2023, during which the public across the Country shall be expected to plant trees as a patriotic contribution to the national efforts to save our Country from the devastating effects of Climate Change. National Examinations scheduled for that day shall proceed normally” Kindiki wrote.
His post was accompanied by a gazette notice dated November 6 where Kindiki by section 3 of the constitution declared the day as a special holiday.
The CS revealed that the tree-growing exercise was aimed at meeting the government’s 15 billion trees target as part of Kenya’s ecosystem restoration program.
The notice further stated that there would be a designated national venue that will be presided over by the President.
The 47 counties will also mark the holiday with the governors and cabinet secretaries expected to grace the occasions in their areas of jurisdiction.
“In the exercise of powers conferred by section 3 of the Public Holiday Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares Monday, 13th November 2023, a public holiday in which the public shall be engaged in tree growing countrywide. The exercise is part of Kenya’s landscape and ecosystem restoration program- towards the growth of fifteen(15) Billion trees. There will be a designated National venue for the tree planting presided over by His Excellency Dr. William Ruto.” read the notice.
The Cs noted, however, that national examinations scheduled for that day would proceed normally